Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “All the knowledge I posses everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own”. This quote clearly states the thoughts of a Romantic/Transcendentalist. Emerson, from “Self-Reliance”, and Peter Weir, from the movie, “Dead Poets Society”, are both Romantics/ Transcendentalists. They both believe in people thinking for themselves and their surroundings. Two philosophies that are present in both the story and in the movie, were celebrating the spirit of the individual, and that people are inherently good and should follow their own beliefs. First, one of the most important philosophies of Romanticism is the celebrating of the individual. Emerson believes that being an individual is crucial, “Whose would …show more content…
Emerson strongly believes following one's own path, “What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think” (Emerson 24). People can not let others get in their heads. Other people’s comments should not concern one. Comparatively, Mr. Keating emphasizes that being a free thinking frees a man (Weir). People need to stop worrying about what other people think and do. People need to make their own decisions based off of their own values. Furthermore, Mr. Keating shows the students, especially Neil, that people need to follow their own beliefs and create their own path in life (Weir). People, such as parents, should influence one's decisions, but in the end the decision should be personal. One person's beliefs do not have to match another person's. All in all, people are inherently good and following their own beliefs frees people in every way possible. Overall, people should celebrate the spirit of the individual, and people are inherently good and should follow their own beliefs. There are always reasons to live, even when times are tough. There will always be a way through life or someone who can help guide. Life is important and should never be